Claim: A Facebook page of Oyo State claimed that the abducted students and teachers in Oyo State had been released on June 4, 2026.
Verdict: False. The Oyo State Police Command debunked the claim.
Full Text
A Facebook user, named “Oyo State,” posted a claim (archived here) on June 4, 2026, alleging that abducted students and teachers in Oyo State have been released. The post generated over 100 likes, four comments and 40 shares.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Economic Affairs, Tope Fasua, also shared the same claim on June 3, 2026.
In the now-deleted post, he wrote,
“In a major victory for security forces and a huge relief for families across Nigeria, all 42 students and 7 teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area on May 15 have been safely rescued in a daring joint operation early this morning…”
Another Facebook page also circulated the same information with a collage of several images.
Facebook users reacted differently to the post. Toyin Yemi advised caution, saying, “U people should be very careful about reports and fake information for public viewing. Let us wait and hear from the authorities concerned. I pray for their safe return home.”
Tijani Kosiru Oluwole questioned the claim, saying, “Don’t joke about this matter, please, are you serious?”
Mustapha Rasak Ajebisi Mourinho responded, saying, “It’s true.”
Babajide Kumuyi said, “How true is this news. If it is true. How much was the ransom paid? What happened to the kidnappers ?”
Reacting to Tope’s post, Martins Adepitan said, “Tope Fasua is one of the top officials in the Tinubu govt. So I trust the source if this is truly coming from his page”
DUBAWA decided to fact-check the claim due to its significance, virality, and conflicting public reactions.
A timeline of events since the kidnapping
On May 15, 2026, gunmen on motorcycles stormed three schools in Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire LGA; 39 pupils and seven teachers were abducted, and one teacher was killed.
On May 15, 2026, police spokesperson Ayanlade Olayinka confirmed the abduction with Governor Seyi Makinde initially reporting 39 pupils and 7 teachers kidnapped.
On May 17, 2026, the Joint rescue operation (soldiers, police, vigilantes) encountered IEDs planted by kidnappers. This led to several security operatives being wounded.
On May 18, 2026, Governor Makinde confirmed that one kidnapped teacher died in captivity, and six suspects had been arrested.
On the same day, President Bola Tinubu condemned the attack as “barbaric” and promised federal-state collaboration to rescue victims
On May 19, 2026, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that a Boko Haram faction carried out the attack.
From May 20 to 30, 2026, Oyo State halts all school outings (field trips, sports) to protect students. Governor Makinde also signed an executive order to regulate private security associations.
On Friday, May 22, 2026, the funeral of Joel Adesiyan (the teacher killed) was held at Ayegun Baptist Church, Ogbomosho.
Governor Makinde subsequently met the victims’ families at Ahoro-Esiele community, revealing that nearly 200 Amotekun were killed in 6 years. Makinde noted that they believe the victims are held in forests within Oyo State, and security agencies are intensifying rescue efforts.
On June 1, 2026, public school teachers went on an indefinite strike in Oyo State, demanding the safe release of kidnapped pupils/teachers.
On June 2, 2026, the Coalition of Non-State Schools in Oyo state (CONSSOS) announced that all private schools will shut down on June 5, 2026, in solidarity for the safe release of kidnapped pupils
Have the pupils been released?
Findings by DUBAWA show that there has been no official statement confirming the release of the abducted students and teachers.
We contacted the spokesperson of the Oyo State Police Command, Ayanlade Olayinka, and he debunked the claim.
In his words, “It is false.”
Subsequently, the state police released a statement saying viral messages across various social media platforms are false, misleading and unsubstantiated.
The statement reads in part, “The Oyo State Police Command wishes to categorically debunk the viral messages currently circulating across various social media platforms alleging that the pupils and teachers abducted from Ahoro Esiele and Yawota Communities in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been released by their abductors.
“The Command states unequivocally that the claim is false, misleading, and entirely unsubstantiated. As of the time of this release, there has been no such development, and members of the public are advised to disregard the report in its entirety.”
Conclusion
The claim that the abducted students and teachers in Oyo State have been released is false. The Oyo State Police Command debunked the claim in an interview with DUBAWA.